LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Seven years. Seven titles. Can anyone say dynasty?
Neshoba Central (33-2) rolled past Wayne County, 17-1, on Tuesday to capture its seventh-straight Mississippi Class 5A state title and remain solidly the No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll.
The Rockets won the first game of the best-of-three championship series, 4-3 on a walkoff hit on Monday, then wrapped up the crown win with a more decisive victory in their second matchup.
Meanwhile, the teams below them in the rankings kept pace. Second-ranked Norco (30-1) defeated Huntington Beach, 9-2, on Tuesday, and continues defense of its CIF Southern Section crown with a game Friday against Great Oak. No. 3 Louisville Male (27-0) collected five more wins, and is well-positioned for another deep run in the upcoming Kentucky state playoffs.
Fourth-ranked Foothill (25-0) also remained unbeaten with a 10-0 playoff shutout of East Lake, while Florida’s Lakewood Ranch (28-0) and Winter Springs (28-0) likewise stayed perfect.
No. 8 Shawnee Heights (19-1) continued its quest for a third-straight Kansas state 5A crown with two regional triumphs on Wednesday, and will be the top seed for next week’s state tournament.
Unbeaten Wisconsin powerhouse Oshkosh North (24-0) is the new team in the poll this week, debuting at No. 12, while New Palestine (21-3) and Clarksville (42-2) slipped a bit in the rankings after losses. Hanover and Pinnacle dropped out.
State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule.
USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – May 16, 2019
|
Rank |
Team |
2019 Record |
Previous |
|
1 |
Neshoba Central (Miss.) |
33-2 |
1 |
|
2 |
Norco (Calif.) |
30-1 |
2 |
|
3 |
Louisville Male (Ky.) |
27-0 |
3 |
|
4 |
Foothill (Pleasanton, Calif.) |
25-0 |
4 |
|
5 |
Lakewood Ranch (Fla.) |
28-0 |
5 |
|
6 |
Winter Springs (Fla.) |
28-0 |
6 |
|
7 |
Cedar Ridge (Texas) |
30-1 |
7 |
|
8 |
Shawnee Heights (Kan.) |
19-1 |
8 |
|
9 |
Angleton (Texas) |
34-1 |
10 |
|
10 |
Keystone (Ohio) |
25-0 |
12 |
|
11 |
North Davidson (N.C.) |
27-0 |
13 |
|
12 |
Oshkosh North (Wis.) |
24-0 |
NR |
|
13 |
New Palestine (Ind.) |
21-3 |
9 |
|
14 |
Clarksville (Tenn.) |
42-2 |
11 |
|
15 |
Richland (Wash.) |
22-0 |
14 |
|
16 |
Barbers Hill (Texas) |
39-2 |
15 |
|
17 |
Marist (Ill.) |
30-2 |
16 |
|
18 |
Keller (Texas) |
31-3-1 |
17 |
|
19 |
St. John Vianney (N.J.) |
16-0 |
18 |
|
20 |
Forney (Texas) |
26-3 |
19 |
|
21 |
Redmond (Wash.) |
20-1 |
20 |
|
22 |
Immaculate Heart Acad. (N.J.) |
19-1 |
22 |
|
23 |
Donovan Catholic (N.J.) |
19-1 |
23 |
|
24 |
Appoquinimink (Del.) |
17-1 |
24 |
|
25 |
Fairhope (Ala.) |
40-4 |
T25 |
Dropped out: Hanover (Va.) and Pinnacle (Ariz.).
